"Rong Sheimei, I would love to. I—if you let me, that is," a gentle, deep voice spoke. It was none other than Yu Chen, his tone betraying a hint of shyness.
****
Meanwhile, Wei Yu was in a frantic search for Yu Chen, sprinting through the trees with determination. After what felt like an eternity, he finally paused beside a sturdy trunk, breathing heavily. Fifteen minutes of fruitless searching had him on edge. Where could Yu Chen be?
As he caught his breath, Wei Yu's gaze fell upon two figures not far away. One was unmistakably Yu Chen, but the other? A woman, her presence strikingly elegant. Wei Yu's mind immediately jumped to conclusions; this must be that Rong person everyone teased him about.
Curiosity mingled with jealousy as he watched them converse, the sound of their laughter reaching his ears like a taunt. Yu Chen was stammering, clearly flustered, while the woman laughed softly, a melodic sound that only heightened Wei Yu's irritation. How dare she invite his shixiong inside! He could feel the heat of jealousy rising within him, almost unbearable.
Unable to contain himself, Wei Yu stealthily moved closer, hiding behind a nearby bush to eavesdrop on their exchange. The cheerful banter only fueled his frustration, and he decided he could no longer remain silent.
As he stepped out from behind the foliage, Yu Chen sensed someone's presence and turned around to see who it was. Seeing that it was Wei Yu he smiled. "Wei Yu! Come meet Rong Sheimei. Rong Sheimei, This is the child I found during my journey. He's quite talented," he introduced, pride evident in his voice.
Wei Yu forced a polite smile as he faced Hua Rong, but inside, he felt a tumult of emotions. She was beautiful, and the way Yu Chen looked at her made his heart sink. Yet he knew he couldn't show hostility in front of Yu Chen, who seemed smitten.
Hua Rong smiled warmly at him, but Wei Yu couldn't shake the sense of competition brewing within him. He kept his demeanor neutral, though he sensed the underlying tension. It was as if she could feel his hostility, yet her smile remained unwavering, as if she found his emotions amusing.
"Yu Chen, why don't you come inside? I'd love to play the huqin for you," she suggested again, her voice smooth and inviting.
But Wei Yu interjected, desperation in his tone. "Wait! Yu Shixiong, please! I need your help with swordplay!" His words came out rushed, pleading. "If I'm going to enter the sword-wielding competition and become an inner disciple, I can't waste time!"
Yu Chen hesitated, glancing between Wei Yu and Rong. "But—"
"I'm serious, Yu Shixiong! You're the only one who can teach me!" Wei Yu's urgency hung in the air.
After a moment's contemplation, Yu Chen sighed and nodded, glancing apologetically at Rong. "I'm sorry, Hua Rong. I'll make it quick." After all, he had to take full responsibility of Wei Yu.
Relief washed over Wei Yu, and a grin broke across his face as he realized his plan had worked. He could hardly contain his excitement; this was his chance to prove himself. As he watched Yu Chen's face light up with determination to help him, he couldn't help but feel over the moon, even with the shadow of jealousy lurking in the background.
"That's such a pity." Hua Rong sighed. "Then in the meantime, I'll try to learn a new song, Yu shixiong can come at that time."
"Of course I will sheimei, good bye and take care of yourself." Yu Chen said as he turned around to leave with Wei Yu who was pulling on him. "Ow! Be gentle I'm coming!"
As the two people left, Hua Rong's face changed, the gentle and calm Hua Rong was no more. Instead he face was filled with confusion and anger. She could not help but wonder why the youth was so hostile towards her?
***
"Wei Shidi! Calm down! Ow! Why are you pulling on my sleeves so hard!?" Yu Chen exclaimed, his tone a mix of exasperation and bemusement. His shidi was becoming more unruly by the moment! It was hard to remain annoyed, especially when the sight of Wei Yu's eager, wide eyes lit up the dimming forest around them.
Once Wei Yu confirmed they were out of Hua Rong's sight, He let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing. Yu Chen swiftly pulled his robe free from Wei Yu's grasp, the fabric still crumpled from the enthusiastic tug. "Sorry, Yu Shixiong, I just got a little too excited," Wei Yu said, his cheeks flushed with anticipation.
Yu Chen couldn't help but smirk, the irritation melting away as he gazed down at his young shidi. "Yeah, a bit too excited." There was something endearing about the boy's uncontainable energy, and when Yu Chen ruffled Wei Yu's hair, the warmth of the moment lingered. "Well, since we're already here, how about we practice some swordplay?"
"Yes! What will you teach me?" Wei Yu bounced on his feet, his excitement palpable.
"Today, we'll focus on a technique called 'Fallen Angel.' It's both elegant and powerful," Yu Chen explained, his voice dropping into a more serious tone as he prepared to demonstrate. There was a flicker in his eyes, a spark of passion that Wei Yu had come to admire.
As Yu Chen began to move, he embodied the technique, his sword slicing through the air with a grace that made it seem almost alive. The elegant arcs and precise thrusts were like a dance, each movement flowing seamlessly into the next. Wei Yu watched in awe, captivated by the fluidity and strength behind every motion. Yet when he attempted to replicate it, his efforts came off as chaotic and clumsy. His swings felt more violent than graceful, and he couldn't quite capture the essence of what he saw.
"Focus, Wei Yu. You need to channel your energy, not just swing wildly," Yu Chen encouraged, his voice a blend of patience and firmness. "Feel the flow of the sword; let it guide you."
As they practiced, the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow across the training ground. Wei Yu's frustration grew as he stumbled through each attempt, but Yu Chen remained a steady presence beside him. "You're improving, I promise. Just keep trying," he reassured, offering gentle guidance.
With the dusk settling around them, the world was painted in soft shades of orange and purple. Wei Yu concentrated harder, letting the rhythm of the sword settle into his bones. Slowly, he began to find a flow, each movement becoming a bit more controlled, a bit more graceful. Finally, after countless tries, he executed a particularly elegant sweep, the sword gliding through the air with newfound finesse.
"See? That's it!" Yu Chen exclaimed, a proud smile breaking across his face. "You're beginning to grasp the essence of 'Fallen Angel.'"
Wei Yu beamed, his heart soaring with accomplishment, but before he could celebrate, Yu Chen's expression shifted, becoming more contemplative. "Let me tell you about the history behind this technique," he began, his voice rich with emotion. "The 'Fallen Angel' was created by a legendary swordsman named Li Feng, whose story is as beautiful as it is tragic."
As he demonstrated the movements, each stroke of the sword became a visual representation of Li Feng's tale. "Li Feng was a master swordsman, admired for his unmatched skill. But his heart was captured by a woman named Mei Lin, whose love was pure and radiant. They were destined to be together, yet their love faced insurmountable challenges."
Yu Chen's movements flowed with an almost haunting elegance, each turn reflecting the bittersweet essence of the story. "Their families were feuding, and despite their efforts to be together, fate conspired against them. In a final attempt to save Mei Lin, Li Feng created this technique, pouring his heartache into it. It symbolizes the beauty that can arise from pain, a transformation of inner turmoil into something graceful and powerful."
Wei Yu watched in awe as Yu Chen continued to move, the sword dancing in his hands, echoing the sorrow of Li Feng's tale. "In the end, their love was doomed; Mei Lin was lost to him, and in his grief, Li Feng became a wanderer, using his art to express the pain of his heart."
As the last rays of sunlight faded, Wei Yu felt a deep connection to the story, understanding that every practice, every attempt at the swordplay, was a step toward embracing not only the beauty of the technique but also the depth of human emotion. Inspired, he practiced with renewed vigor, finally finding a rhythm that mirrored the elegance of Yu Chen's movements.
Just as he began to grasp the meaning of 'Fallen Angel,' Yu Chen paused, a soft smile returning to his face. "You're getting there, Wei Yu. Just remember, the true power of this technique lies not just in its movements but in the emotions behind it."
Wei Yu nodded, feeling a sense of purpose swell within him. In that moment, he realized that his journey was just beginning, and with Yu Chen's guidance, he could transform his own struggles into strength, just like Li Feng had done so long ago.